The DLF Indian Premier League Season 3 Kicked off at the DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai with a rousing opening ceremony, which had some thrilling singing, dancing and acrobatic performances.

The toss was won by Adam Gilchrist who chose to field first.

Umpire Rudi Koertzen went “Scorers are u ready? Umpire Tiffin are u ready? Fielding captain are u ready? Batsmen are you ready? Welcome all Indians to IPL3″ on the loudspeaker and the cricket started!!! Another innovation, making people feel more involved with the game, to what has been one revolutionary event for world cricket since its inception in 2008

Chaminda Vaas breathed Fire in the First over of IPL3 and got Manoj Tiwary and Dada for ducks. Pujara couldn’t capitalize on a good start and got out giving catching practice to mid on. Herschelle Gibbs took a stunning reflex catch at point to dismiss Brad Hodge

Owais Shah (58* off 46 balls) and Angelo Mathews (65* off 46 balls) stabilized the innings. They then upped the ante after the 15th over and milked the last 4 overs for around 60 runs to take the score to a fighting 161/4. The match now looked a bit evenly poised.

Gilchrist and Laxman, after a couple of scares at the beginning, got the Deccan Chargers off to a flyer in the second innings.

Murli Karthik got the first breakthrough for the Knight Riders in the form of Laxman. Gilchrist was the next to go, but not before the Australian Great had scored 54 off 35 balls. At that stage it looked like the chargers were firmly in the driver’s seat. But Gilly’s wicket opened the floodgates for the Knight Riders as they picked two wickets, those of Gibbs and Symonds who both went for rash shots, in quick succession and it was suddenly Game on for the Knight Riders. Rohit Sharma fell fighting for just 13 runs and left the chargers reeling at 128 for 5, needing 34 off 22 balls to win.

It was all Knight Riders from then on as the Chargers lost quick wickets, thanks to some bizarre shots by the Deccan Batters, and were strangulated for runs.

Ganguly was elated and jumping for joy at the end as the Riders went on the win the match by 11 runs, a start they badly needed after a disastrous last edition where everything went against them.

Angelo Mathews got the DLF Maximum sixes award, Gibbs got the Karbon Kamaal Catch of the day for his brilliant effort. Saurav Ganguly was awarded the star of the day award.

A great Comeback win for the Knight riders, who got a fighting total thanks to brilliant efforts by Owais Shah and Angelo Mathews, and followed up by some brilliant fielding.

kkr is d best.
this season kkr will get d trophy.
all d best shahrukh khan

sajal agarwal

hey dada congrats for your in the first match….may u and your team continue winningggggg.thank you.

sam

Skipper Adam Gilchrist’s 35-ball 54 went in vain as defending champions Deccan Chargers suffered a 11-run defeat at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders.Angelo Mathews 65 not out was awarded Man of the match award for his all-round performance.

Ankit B. Rathod

The match was just a glimpse of what IPL is ! IPL is all about action. Prediction rarely works in IPL.

KKR didn’t play well in the first 10 overs, but the fared well in the last 10… DC played too good in the first 10 overs, but the couldn’t continue it till the end. And that’s where lies the difference. Any team can’t afford to play bad in the last 10 overs !